Zeros 2 Heroes - The People's Publisher

(let's up the stakes -CM)

PAGE 11

6 panels: 3 rectangular panels lined up on the top tier, with two widescreen panels underneath, finished with a last wide panel (2/3 width of page, ¼ the length of the page), centered, framed by black.

PANEL 1

Extreme close-up of a child's face lying in a bed. A breathing apparatus is over the child's mouth and nose. His eyes are open with difficulty and he has no pupils; instead, the whole cornea is of a translucent emerald-like color.

 CHILD, whimpering: ...c... cur... curssssed...!

 DOCTOR, off-panel: It's getting worse.

 

PANEL 2

View of a hospital bed and equipment, ground level. A DOCTOR, a MOTHER and a FATHER stand over their CHILD, hooked up to several IV drops, a respirator and more. It's daytime. There's a curtain behind them, sheltering them from other potential patients.

  MOTHER: I don't understand, Doctor...

  FATHER: Just WHAT is getting worse? What's wrong with our Francis?

 DOCTOR: It's not just Francis.

 

PANEL 3

The DOCTOR is grabbing the curtain, pulling it back on the rod. The parents are in the foreground, watching him do so.

  DOCTOR: Psychotropic delusions, ranting, fevered dreams, outlandish tales, worsening physical health... This is unlike anything I ever encountered before.

 DOCTOR: Francis is LIVING a dream, along with...

 

PANEL 4

 Widescreen. The DOCTOR has pulled back the curtain. Over his shoulder we see an entire hospital hall lined up with beds; maybe close to a hundred. All those beds we can see clearly contain a single child, hooked up to the same equipment.

 DOCTOR: ...ALL SEVENTY-EIGHT OF THEM! And, as astonishing as it sounds, they all mutter the same story.

 DOCTOR: Emeralds, indigo, curses, powers, strange names, knights fighting, and the fate of an entire world in their hands.

 FATHER, off-panel: But, what have you found out?

 

 PANEL 5

 Widescreen. Imagine a camera looking straight down at the children in their hospital beds, with an angle. They all have either indigo or green corneas. All their eyes are open or half-open.

 DOCTOR, off-panel: It's obvious to me that these children have some kind of sympathetic link to someone... or something, locking them in their current state.

 DOCTOR, off-panel: I think their state worsens as the heroic tale they experience takes a turn for the worst. They say in any war, the first to suffer are the children.

 MOTHER, off-panel: What can we do to help them?

 

 PANEL 6

 The DOCTOR, along with the PARENTS, is in the distance amongst the beds, looking back over their shoulder to FRANCIS, still comatose in his hospital bed.

 DOCTOR: Pray.

 DOCTOR: If their condition is to improve, pray those heroes can curb the bloodshed.

 DOCTOR: Pray they give in to the better angels of their nature.

Ta-da! Oh, and I liked Dylan's picture thing, so I ripped him off.

Minus One Page 10, 8 panels

Panel 1

The Verdant tower looms in the background, somewhat concealed by clouds and the fog of war. There is a motion blur leading out of one of the higher windows of the tower.

 

TOADY [Lettering starting tiny and getting larger with each letter, on account of it's getting closer, ya see]:  AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!

 

Panel 2

 

The lettering from above, and accompanying motion blur has impacted into a forest clearing some distance from the battle. The impact is like a little meteor, kicking up a small cloud of dirt and earth. Out of the impact, the Toady can be seen flying.

 

TOADY: Oof!

 

 

Panel 3

 

The Toady, having landed, is struggling to get up off of his lumpy, misshapen bottom.

 

TOADY: This-- Is this not Verdant magic? How is it an Indigoan can do these things?

 

Panel 4

 

A bit of a hero shot. Gustav, crouched slightly, leaning on his knuckle in the little crater left by his landing.

 

GUSTAV: We're just...

 

GUSTAV: Gifted from the Gods, I guess.

 

Panel 5

 

Standing now, Gustav looks down at the Toady.

 

TOADY: King Killian will not be pleased, no. This was to be ours. The six would guarantee his victory. Our plans--

 

Panel 6

 

Same as 5, but Gustav is hunched over, clutching his chest, coughing violently into his hand.

 

GUSTAV: KOFF!!

 

Panel 7

 

Gustav's hand, open, to reveal a greenish blood-like fluid.

 

Panel 8

 

Toady.

 

TOADY: Gifted? Or cursed?

Minus One Fan Fiction - Page Nine
by Crackwalker


9.1 : Wide panel across the top of the page. Honson and Davion are in the middle of the smoke-filled battlefield. Charred destruction is all around them, and the dust and fumes have isolated them from the rest of the battle. The two opponents are squaring off, Davion looking sly, Honson is partially invisible, sort of half faded out.

    Honson
Are you not tired of slaying your own troops, Davion?

    Davion
Come now, Honson. They're not mine, any more than the Indigo troops are yours... not YET at least.

    Honson
What do you mean? Is this all a GAME to you?


9.2: Close-up of Davion, sneering.

    Davion
Of course it is! Look around you - all these pawns fighting and dying for their king and queen.


9.3: Close up of Honson, looking suspicious.

    Honson
But not you.


9.4: Medium shot. The two opponents are more relaxed as they enter into a bargain together. Davion is holding out his hands in a gesture of diplomacy. Soldiers battle in the distance.

    Davion
I'm playing my own game. You can join me.

    Honson
What do you suggest?


9.5: This is a large frame, running down the left side of the page. Davion is pointing to the Verdant castle, which is overlooking the battlefield like a distant giant. Honson listens.

    Davion
With your ghost-like power, it would be simple for you to enter King Killian's castle and take his magic emerald. Bring it to me, and I swear that I will make you the King of Indigo!


9.6: The last two panels are smaller, and stacked one over the other on the lower right side of the page. Honson sternly stands before Davion.

    Honson
I'm not sure I trust you, but you're right about one thing.


9.7: Same composition as the last panel, but Honson is fading out, using his invisibility power.

    Honson
It WILL be simple for me to take the emerald.

Seven Panels

Page Eight, Panel One

The King now clutches the green glowing emerald as the entire castle shakes. Toady is seen nearby, shambling from side to side from the sheer vibration. The entire panel should seem shaking, with blurred motions and occasional motion lines.

SFX: KRA-KRA-KRASH!

8:2

Over-the-shoulder of the King, still looking into the green emerald obsessively. His concentration has been broken by the crash, so the emerald beneath him so appear a murky jade cloud. Toady is facing the King, looking concerned ? and even a little bit frightful. Though the King is angry, he does not look up from his precious emerald ? though his fingers tremble as they tightly clutch the ends of the emerald.

KING: You! Go INVESTIGATE.

TOADY: M-m-me?! Sir, I am your ADVISOR. I c-cannot ?

KING: Then let me give you same ADVICE for a change.

KING: It would not be in your BEST INTEREST to disobey my COMMANDS. The consequences would not be PLESANT. UNDERSTAND?

TOADY: Y-y-yes, my lord.

8:3

In another section of the castle, Gustav has broken through one of the windows and landed on top of several Verdant guards.

GUSTVAV (Caption): I knew I shouldn?t have tried my JUMPS before I had my powers under control but NOOOO, I had to show off.

GUSTAV (Caption): I really hope the QUEEN was watching though ? up until the point I fell through the window and SCREAMED like a small child ? SOMEONE?S COMING!

8:4

Profile shot of Gustav hurling Toady against a wall, a knife held against his throat. This all occurs in mid-motion, with the impact of Toady slamming against the wall clearly felt. Toady starts to scream, but Gustav has the knife held so close to his throat that the words emerge barely more than a whisper.

TOADY: Indigo scum!

8:5

Over-the-shoulder of Toady looking past Gustav and out the broken window Gustav has made for his entrance. He is looking outside, to how the fires which burn in the Verdant village below. 

TOADY: Something is WRONG.

GUSTAV: You?re just NOW seeing that?

TOADY: What SIR DAVION is doing helps neither YOUR side nor MINE. Why?

GUSTAV:  DAVION is a CRIMINAL. It?s your own FAULT for turning him LOOSE.

TOADY: That hardly changes the facts and the longer you hold that knife, the more people will be HURT.

8:6

Gustav relinquishes his knife hold, but keeps a steady, suspicious eye on Toady, who disdainfully smoothes his robes. Both of them are now facing the open window ? and the battlefield below ? with anticipation.

GUSTAV: So how?s the King going to take you ABANDONING your post?

TOADY: He told me to INVESTIGATE. Thus, I am INVESTIGATING.

TOADY: You?

8:7

With Toady is his arm, Gustav bounds out the window and into the sky. Gustav?s lack of control should be obvious to Toady, who now clambers tightly to Gustav as he looks down. Gustav?s position should seem fairly unstable and far from safe at any rate.

GUSTAV: I figure if the QUEEN sees me with you, she?ll think I took a PRISONER.

TOADY: Or committing TREASON.

GUSTAV: Yeah. I?m trying NOT to think about that.

(6 panels. 2 tall panels on each side and 4 in the middle)

Panel 1:  Right side view of IKAROS. He is looking into the Rubis mirror. His face is glowing red because of the light coming out of it.

IKAROS: What the??!

Panel 2: Close up of SIR DAVION. Blue fire is surrounding his wrists. A shadow is obscuring his face.

SIR DAVION: You cannot escape me!!

Panel 3: Close up of HONSON, momentarily appearing and looking up. VERDANT soldiers burning behind him.

HONSON: Is this? Help?

Panel 4: View of TUMAX facing AOIFE in the battlefield. They haven't spotted the shadow looming above their heads.

TUMAX: AOIFE!!! You shall pay for what you have done to the Indigo people!! PREPARE TO MEET YOUR DOOM!!

Panel 5: Close up of AOIFE, laughing, his spear ready.

AOIFE: You haven't changed a bit in five years, Tumax! I believed you would have matured since the last time we have met. You disappointed me.

Panel 6: Left side view of KING KILLIAN. (Opposite to IKAROS). He is looking into the 4 foot Emerald . His face is glowing green because of the light coming out of it.

KING KILLIAN: HELP!!! At last... No one shall resist us!!

Panels 7

Panel 1:

5 heroes stand in silhouette as they see the forces on both sides taking line positions stretching all the way to the horizon.

Panel 2:

Rhian, close up of his stern face "There are so many of them . . "

Panel 3 :

Aoife looking with a innocent smile "Numbers do not count in a battle such as this Rhian, with the 5 of us here, we can make short work of this and be back dinning at the King's table!"

Panel 4 :

Everent and Elon seem to say in unison "Well no time like the present fellas."

Panel 5 :

Like a 5 pointed star, each of the heroes goes off in a direction towards their planned objectives, to try to stop the advance of the Indigo Army.

Panel 6

Evernet and Elon, as a Pair, slam their fists into the ground, creating a massive earth quake knocking Indigo soldiers onto the ground.

Panel 7 with a dark Shadow forming over half of Mylestra's body, she notices a large object in the sky.

Mylestra "We have company!"

Sorry for the delay! Hope this sets the mood!

LAZERMAN

Yesterday Steven Menszer wrote a blog called "The Importance of Originality".  It's a good blog and it spurred an interesting discussion that you should check out once you are done here.  In it he wrote, "The only thing that is truly important is you. It's a collection of yous that make this beautiful, blue and green spinning world. It's a collection of yous that makes me feel like life maybe isn't such a tragic thing to be involved in. And, it's important to let me and everyone else know why you stand out from the collection."
This is the part of the blog that resonated with me.
Many of you know by now that I am probably the worst self promoter on the whole site if not the western hemisphere, so this is not easy for me, but I do want you to know why you should become a fan of Minus One and why you should become a fan of me and my writing.
First, let me point out that despite the fact my comic has been up on this site for more than two months only 63 people have bothered to become fans (it would be 64 but TK Jr. is too young to join) so far.
There are a number of reasons for this that I can identify, but I would like to see you sign up or know why you won't.
I'm guessing some of you haven't read the book yet.  I know that many members on this site aren't even aware it is up to be looked at (ahem, newsletter, ahem - pardon me) and I am positive many people do not know how or if they should become a fan.  This site can be a little imposing to neophytes I know.
Also, I haven's asked.  I'm asking now.  At least read it if you haven't yet.
I'm quite sure that some readers have read the book and decided not to be fans.  And that is fair.  I only ask that you let me know what you didn't enjoy so that I can make books two and three and so on better.  Was it the plot?  Poorly realized characters? Stilted writing?  Too formula?  Too many tributes?  Too derivative?  You didn't like the artwork maybe?  Too confusing?  Not "mature" enough?  A dumb idea?
I do want to know.  You can reply here or send me a message.
I'm not going to get all defensive or anything but let me tell you why I stand out, to use Steven's words.
First, no one on this site loves comics more than I do.  Maybe as much.  Maybe.  Not more.  This love alone, however, is not enough.
Second, that love of comics comes with some serious creative ability.  I don't think I have the polish yet that several of my fellow CCCN winners do - I am so envious of their prose - but that does not make them better writers.  Just further along the road in this journey to writing greatness, that's all. 
Third, the idea behind Minus One is a great one.  I truly believe that.  There is so much potential in this storyline that I will be disappointed beyond belief if I never get to share it with the world (and you will be too, though you may not realize it).  I have material for several years worth of stories, believe me!
Fourth, I pay tribute to the Giants who came before me, as well as my contemporaries.
Fifth, I never take a page off.  I try my best to make sure every customer gets their money's worth in every panel.
Sixth, my story is set in the real world in a way that most others are not.  Kurt Busiek wrote in his introduction to the first Astro City trade paperback that "One thing I didn't want to do is take the superhero story and make it 'realistic'."  I do.
Seventh, my cast will be the most diverse in comics book history (I believe, certainly of any book I've ever read).  My super powered beings will be of all races, colors and creeds and the oldest is over 100 and the youngest not yet born.
Eighth, the artwork is GREAT and is perfect for the book as I envisioned it and as I have written it.  I could not have asked for better than Ronn and Ian.  Not your cup of tea?  I don't buy it.  There as many different styles of comic book art out there as there are artists and all are worthy if they have some talent.  Just look at the comics here.  Does Abigail's War look like Hero High?  Does Blake Undying look like November's Song?  Does Supremacy look like Lotus?  All different, but all great, just like the rest.  Not your cup of tea?  Get over it and pay attention to the details!
Ninth, read it carefully and pay attention to the details. Nothing has been done accidentally, though I will admit a lot of said details are subtle.  Unlike me this one time!
Tenth, this blog and this comic have been brought to you by Tenzil Kem, one of the best comic book writers it will ever be your privilege to know (how's that for tooting my own horn?)!
Believe it baby!!!

A little bit of news on the publicity front for zeros2heroes and Minus One.  I was recently interviewed by an editor with the Surrey Now newspaper and the story was run in their people section yesterday, including the headline for the section and a small photo (though I must admit I don't see the photo in the online story).  I will try to make this a link, but if it doesn't work at least the address is there for you to copy and paste.  As many of you know, I'm not great at links!  Happy reading!
http://www.canada.com/surreynow/story.html?id=addb10c5-4dd1-4852-9952-774e0d5060a2